Spring tensioned radially compressible and longitudinally extensible sectional clamp sleeve



Dec. 2, 1958 c. R; BAccA 2,862,229 SPRING TENSIONED RADIAL-LY COMPRESSIBLE AND LONGITUDINALLY EXTENSIBLE SECTIONAL CLAMP SLEEVE Filed Feb. 7, 1952 INVENTOR. CHARLES R. BACCA Y DES JARDINS, ROBINSON 8. KEISER HIS ATTORNEYS United States SPG TENSIGNED RADIALLY COMPRESSIBLE AND LONGITUDINALLY EXTENSIBLE SEC- TIONAL CLAMP SLEEVE This invention relates to a spring tensioned frictional hollow sleeve, said sleeve being adapted to be mounted on a relatively movable rod and/or another member connected to the rod for holding said rod, or member connected thereto, in any selected relative position, to which same is moved, and it particularly pertains to a radially compressible or a radially compressible and longitudinally extensible sleeve disposed about a rod for frictionally gripping said rod, or said rod and the other connected member.

The invention is particularly useful in connection with any pivoted connection, such as a hinge, or a rod which is rotatably and/or reciprocably mounted on another member for releasably holding the rod and/or the connected member in any relative position.

It is common practice to have a door, such as a motor-car door, constructed so that same will be automatically held open to its extreme open position to resist freely swinging closed but will be readily released for closing said door simply by overcoming the resistance. In other instances, such as screen doors, means are provided for automatically closing them. There are other instances where means are provided for holding a door in any position to which it has been opened, but they have heretofore been so cumbersome and complicated as to be entirely impractical, particularly when subjected to vibrations and other such disturbances.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the invention is a frictional means for holding two relatively movable objects in any position in which one has been moved in respect to the other.

Another object of the invention is a frictional holding means for two relatively movable parts which is simple in construction and efiicient in operation.

Another object of the invention is a frictional holding means adapted to be disposed about one of the relatively movable parts for frictionally engaging it at all times.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction and economies of operation, will readily appear from the detailed description to follow.

In one instance, I have accomplished the objects of my invention by the devices and means set forth in the following specification. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims. Structures constituting preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional refrigerator door hinge embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the center of the hinge pin.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken through one of the sleeve sections in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a sleeve element of the hinge.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing another modification of the invention.

atent Patented Dec. 2, 1958 Fig. 6 is an enlarged exploded perspective of the sleeve element in Fig. 5.

The invention generally described comprises a radially compressible sleeve, preferably segmental, having a bore therethrough in which a pin or rod is adapted to be inserted for being frictionally grasped by the sleeve, and a compression spring disposed about the sleeve for continuously engaging said sleeve frictionally with the insert pin. The radial compressibility of the sleeve is provided by making it from a plurality of separate segments with the adjacent longitudinal edges of said segments spaced apart. The sleeve may also be longitudinally extensible and with the same spring disposed to longitudinally extend the sleeve to force the ends thereof in frictional engagement with an abutting member. The longitudinal extensibility is provided by dividing the sleeve transversely into a plurality of sections, preferably duplicates, and forming inclined seats about the exterior wall of the sections between which the spring is compressed. Accordingly, the sections of the sleeve are continuously extended lengthwise or forced apart into frictional engagement with the member connected to the insert rod. Radial compression results from the segments being spring-pressed against the wall portion of the pin or rod surrounded by the sleeve segments. The sleeve can be integral with a longitudinal slot extending therethrough for making the sleeve resilient. The invention lends itself particularly to cabinet doors, such as medicine and kitchen cabinets, toilet seats, deep-freeze doors and the like. Many of these devices employ latches for holding the doors closed. Where it is desired to merely hold the doors closed without jarring open, the present invention will permit the elimination of the latches altogether. But whether or not the latches be used, the present invention will hold the doors in any desired position so that accessory devices for the purpose are unnecessary.

Referring specifically to the drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like parts, numerals 2 and 3 designate two parts of a conventional hinge, such as is commonly used for refrigerator doors. The hinge parts are made from metal blanks, part 2 having a cut out portion 4 between two end portions 5 which are rolled to form an eye 6 in longitudinal alignment. The other hinge part 3 is cut away at its opposite ends to provide two cut outs 7, leaving the intermediate part 8 which is also rolled to form an eye or eyes 9. Part 8 is of a length to fit between the end portions 5 of the other hinge member 2. The two hinge parts are assembled by a rod or pin 10 which is inserted through the eyes 6 and 9 and is fixed to the part 2 by being tightly driven into one of the eyes 6. If desired, thrust washers 11 may be mounted on the rod between the abutting ends of the two hinged parts, and both hinge parts are provided with openings 12 for receiving fastening means. Part 3 is fastened to the door, and part 2 is fastened to the cabinet.

The intermediate part 8 of the hinge part 3 is cut out to provide a recess 13 for receiving the holding means that is mounted on the rod or pin 10, said holding means comprising a segmental sleeve composed of duplicate sections 14 and 14 bored at 15 in conformity with the configuration with the rod or pin. The adjacent longitudinal edges of the segments of the sleeve sections are spaced apart at 16. The outermost opposite ends of the sleeve sections are enlarged at 17 with the inner sides of the enlargements being conical to provide transverse inclined wall portions 18.

A coiled spring 19 is disposed about the sleeve sections in compressed condition with its opposite ends seated against the inclined walls 18, thereby urging these two sleeve sections apart longitudinally with their outermost ends abutting and frictionally engaging the adjacent ends of the eyed portions 8'. Because of the transverse inclined wall portions18, the sleeve segments are also compressed radially to frictionall'y engage the rod or pin. The compression of the spring-may be of any regulated am'ountfor' roviding the desired degree of frictional grip both upon the rod or pin and against the eyed portions8"ofthe hinge'part 3; Sincethe 'r'od o'r'pi'n'is' fixed tdthehi'ng'partZ attached-to the refrigerator or sta;

tionary part; and the "other hinge part3 is attached to' the door, it is readily apparent that frictional engagement of the holding sleeve with the rod and with the hinge part 3 will be exerted 'at'. all times so that'the 'door will be frictionally held 'in any open position.

This inventionis" also adapted" for any construction ment except that the sleeve 22 is not divided transversely into sections and longitudinally into a plurality of segments. It is made integral with a longitudinal slit 23. In order to facilitate assembly of the spring 19 on the sleeve 22, one of the enlarged ends 17' of the sleevemay be made separate and fixed to the reduced portion 17a of the other enlarged end by welding after the'spring is compressed in place. Both parts have a longitudinal slit in their peripheral wall that is aligned to form one continuous slit 23. The rod 24 in this embodiment may be non-rotatable and reciprocable only, or one which is both rotatable and reciprocable. It typifies any adjustable rod on an instrument panel or the like, with or without the handle'26. It will be understood that in this embodiment, the sleeve is sufficiently resilient, by reasonof the slit 23, to be compressed radially.

It will, of course, be understood that the sleeve and springcould be assembled in any other suitable manner, such as by first placing the spring on a rod and then slipping it 01f the rod over one end of the sleeve. The split sleeve 22 is radially compressed about the pin 24 by the ends of the spring being seated against the inclined wall portions 18 as in the first described embodiment. In this embodiment only radial compression is desired, the holding means being confined between supports 25. Were it desired to have the rod non-rotatable and held in any fixed position in which turned, all that would be necessary would be to prevent the holding means from being turned with the pin. The sleeve could be formed in a plurality of segments, preferably two half segments, rather than being in one integral piece, the same as are the sleeve sections in Figs. 1 to 4, the only ditference being that the sleeve is not divided transversely into sec-- tions.

I am aware that there may be various changes in details of construction without departing from the spirit of my invention and, therefore, I claim my invention broadly as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A two-part hinge connected by a pin fixed to one of the hinge parts, a frictional holding means surrounding the pin and in abutting relation with the other hinge part, said holding means comprising transversely divided longitudinally separated segmental sleeve sections having inclined exterior wall portions disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, and a compressible coiled spring disposed about the sleeve with its opposite ends seated against the inclined wall portions.

2. The hinge of claim 1 having the holding means seated within arecess provided in the hinged part against which 'said holding means abuts.

3. A two-part hinge having a pin receiving portion on one part projecting between two pin receiving portions on the other hinge part, said pin receiving projecting portion being provided with a recess, a pin connecting the two hinge parts and fixed to one of the pin receiving portions, a frictional'holding means disposed in said recess about the pin comprising a hollow sectional sleeve divided longitudinally into segments, oppositely inclined wall portions on the terminal sections of the sleeve disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, and a. coiled compression spring surrounding the sleeve with its opposite ends seated against the oppositely inclined wall portions.

4. A two-part hinge having a pin receiving portion on one part projecting between two pin receiving portions on the other hinge part, said pin receiving projecting portion being provided with a recess, a pin connecting the hinge parts and fixed to one of the pin receiving portions, a frictional holding means disposed in said recess about the pin comprising a sleeve transversely divided into sections composed of separate segments with spaced apart adjacent longitudinal edges, oppositely inclined wall portions at opposite ends of the sleeve disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, and a spring surrounding the sleeve and cooperating with the oppositely inclined wall portions to radially compress the sleeve segments.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 454,243 Witham June 16, 1891 769,035 Walter Aug. 30, 1904 803,747 Elvin Nov. 7, 1905 1,440,713 Ausbourne Jan. 2, 1923 1,473,451 Walters Nov. 6, 1923 OTHER REFERENCES Kasper: Article published in magazine Product Engineering, April 1945, pages 272, 273. 

